Communism Overview and History

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Questions and Answers

What does the term 'Communism' derive from?

Latin word 'communis'

Who were the authors of 'The Communist Manifesto'?

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels

What is a key feature of a classless society?

No differences between the rich and the poor (correct)

High levels of democracy

Existence of private property

Differences between the rich and the poor

Communism promotes private ownership of property.

False Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following countries is NOT commonly associated with communism?

United States Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary basis of communist ideology?

Social equality Signup and view all the answers

Communism supports democracy.

False Signup and view all the answers

Which country is an example of communist ideology in practice?

China Signup and view all the answers

In communism, the community produces and enjoys the benefits of __________ ownership.

common Signup and view all the answers

What is Communism?

A political theory advocating class war leading to a society where all property is publicly owned. Signup and view all the answers

Who first proposed the modern idea of Communism?

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Signup and view all the answers

Communism is primarily focused on private property.

False Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following features is NOT associated with communism?

Private ownership of resources Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant event in 1917 related to communism?

The Bolsheviks started a revolution in Russia. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these countries is NOT commonly associated with communism?

United States Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Classless Society' mean in the context of communism?

A society where there are no differences between the rich and the poor. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of communism in relation to democracy?

Opposes privatization Signup and view all the answers

List two examples of communist countries.

China and North Korea. Signup and view all the answers

Democracy is a government in which the supreme power is vested in the ______.

people Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Communism

Communism is a political theory derived from Karl Marx.
It advocates for a class war, leading to a society with public ownership of all property.
Each individual works and is paid based on their abilities and needs.
The modern idea of communism was first proposed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.
In the 19th century, they wrote "The Communist Manifesto".
Communism was a dominant economic system in Eastern Europe and Asia.
It grew out of the socialist movement in 19th-century Europe.
Marx and Engels argued that capitalism was responsible for the suffering of the proletariat (factory workers).
In 1917, the Bolsheviks, a communist group in Russia, triggered a revolution, leading to a communist takeover of Russia and the creation of the Soviet Union.
After World War II, many Eastern European nations adopted a communist system.
In the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, countries like China and North Korea also adopted communism.

Features of Communism

A classless society, with no distinction between the rich and poor.
Common ownership of all resources to achieve a classless society.
Abolishment of private property, as it promotes profit-seeking and social inequalities.
Social equality, aiming for an egalitarian society without discrimination based on wealth.
Opposition to democracy.
Regulated salaries for all employees, ensuring equal earnings regardless of job.
No private ownership of property or businesses, all owned by the national government.
Government-controlled production and distribution of goods and services.

Examples of Communist Countries

China
North Korea
Laos
Cuba
Vietnam
Most examples are transitioning from capitalism to communism.

Democracy

Democracy is a government where supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly or indirectly through a system of representation, often through periodic free elections.
"Democracy is government of the people, by the people and for the people”, Abraham Lincoln.
The origins of democracy can be traced back to Ancient Greece.

What is Communism?

Communism is a political theory derived from Karl Marx, advocating for class war and culminating in a society where all property is publicly owned.
Individuals work and are compensated based on their abilities and needs.
The modern notion of communism was first proposed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, authors of "The Communist Manifesto".
Communism was a dominant economic system in many Eastern European and Asian countries for several years.

Development of Communism

The roots of communism in its modern form can be traced to the socialist movement in 19th-century Europe.
Marx and Engels' arguments for abolishing class distinctions in society gained popularity in the late 19th century.
The Industrial Revolution prompted socialist critiques, blaming capitalism for the suffering of the proletariat - urban factory workers facing hazardous conditions.
In 1917, a group of Russian communists known as the Bolsheviks initiated a revolution, resulting in a communist takeover of Russia and the establishment of the Soviet Union, the world's only communist nation for many years.
Following World War II, numerous Eastern European nations adopted communist systems mirroring Russia's example.
During the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, Asian nations like China and North Korea embraced communism.

Features of Communism

Classless Society: A society without distinctions between rich and poor.
- Society is typically divided into the bourgeoisie (owning class) and the proletariat (working class).
Common Ownership of Resources: Abolishing existing systems of control and division is essential for a classless society. Common ownership achieves this goal, with the community collectively producing and enjoying the benefits.
Private Property: Private ownership encourages profit-driven production. Lifestyle differences emerge as earnings increase, leading to inequality. Abolishing private property is a fundamental tenet of communist ideology.
Social Equality: The core of communist ideology is achieving social equality, creating an egalitarian society where there are no disparities or discrimination between rich and poor.
Against Democracy: Democracy involves the freedom to engage in private organizations and participate in the market. Communism rejects privatization as an obstacle to a classless society. China, for example, opposes democratic principles.

Examples of Communist Countries

China: One of the most prominent examples of communism.
North Korea: A communist state.
Vietnam: A communist state.
Cuba: A communist state.
These countries do not fully embody the true definition of communism, but rather represent transitional stages between the end of capitalism and the beginning of communism.

Definition of Democracy

A form of government where supreme power rests in the people, exercised directly or indirectly through a system of representation, typically involving regular free elections. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
"Democracy is government of the people, by the people, for the people." - Abraham Lincoln
The concept of democracy originates in ancient Greece, derived from the Greek words...

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Description

This quiz explores the key concepts and historical developments of communism as a political theory. It covers the origins of communism, the influence of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, and the impact of communism in various countries during the 20th century. Test your knowledge of this significant political movement and its implications on society.